The Dominican cuisine is Creole cuisine influenced by local, African, Spanish and Caribbean gastronomic recipes.
Dominican national cuisine
In the Dominican Republic, you will have the opportunity to enjoy an exotic dish in the form of a pig carcass, whole stewed in a pit. A characteristic feature of the national cuisine is the use of bananas in the preparation (for frying, rather hard and green "plane" bananas are taken), legumes and vegetables, which are originally combined with fish or meat products. Of the dishes based on seafood, you should give preference to fish fried in coconut. A side dish of red beans, cassava, rice, vegetable salads and green banana puree is often an addition to the main dishes. It is worth noting that during the meal, “casabe” cakes are always put on the table (they are prepared from the root vegetable of manioc).
Lovers of sweets should try local pastries stuffed with exotic fruits, milk porridge with tropical fruits, and coconut jam.
Popular Dominican / Creole dishes:
- Asopao (soup made from rice, vegetables and chicken - served with fried bananas and orange sauce);
- “Sankocho” (stew with different types of meat, vegetables and seasonings - chili or tabasco is usually added to it for pungency);
- “El moro” (a dish of stewed pork, beans and rice);
- “Pescado-con-coco” (fish in coconut-based sauce);
- "Kangreho gisado" (crabs cooked in a special sauce).
Where to taste the national cuisine?
It should be borne in mind that in restaurants in the Dominican Republic, tips are usually included in the bill and make up about 15% of the total order.
In Santo Domingo, you can have a bite to eat at the “Adrian Tropical” (here guests are treated to national cuisine and allow them to enjoy the ocean view while sitting at a table on the terrace), in Punta Cana, at the “Kukua Beach Club” (here guests are offered to taste Spanish dishes with a Creole flavor, as well as stunning views of Macau Beach).
Cooking courses in the Dominican Republic
If you are on vacation in Punta Cana, be sure to check out the Las Torres restaurant - it delights visitors with Dominican cuisine and low-calorie meals, as well as themed dinners. In addition, the chef of this restaurant often conducts culinary master classes of national cuisine for everyone.
It is recommended to visit the Dominican Republic during the Organic Coffee Festival (October, Polo), the Mango Festival (June, Baths), the Gastronomic Festival (September, Sosua), the “Taste Santo Domingo” culinary festival (October, Santo Domingo), visitors of which will be able to see show cooking and enjoy Dominican wine and food.
